One foolhardy day,a daring major (let's call him Tom)in the space force decides to become the first of his race to cross the event horizon of the black hole.To add to the drama,he decides to go in wearing only a thin space suit,which offers no shielding against radiation,no cushioning against any forces,and so on.Which of the following is most likely to kill him first (or at least cause significant damage)? (Hint: The key word here is first.Be sure to consider the distances from the black hole at which each of the noted effects is likely to become damaging. )
A)the crush of gravity at the singularity embedded within the black hole
B)the tidal forces due to the black hole
C)the strong acceleration as he descends towards the black hole
D)the X-rays from the accretion disk
E)the sucking force from the black hole,which will cause his head to explode

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The X-rays from the accretion disk are likely to cause significant damage first, as they are emitted from the hot gas and matter spiraling into the black hole, which Tom would encounter before reaching the event horizon.

One Foolhardy Day,a Daring Major (Let's Call Him Tom)in the Space